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Phillips gets first day off in 2014

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Phillips' RBI single 0:17

4/30/14: Brandon Phillips knocks a line drive to left field that scores Billy Hamilton from third

By Mark Sheldon
/
MLB.com |

CINCINNATI -- For the first time this season, Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips was not in the starting lineup. Ramon Santiago filled in defensively while third baseman Todd Frazier moved up to Phillips' third spot in the order.

Phillips, who played all of the previous 28 games, was batting .179 (10-for-56) over his last 14 games and 2-for-11 in three games on the homestand. He is also 3-for-16 (.188) lifetime vs. Brewers starter Wily Peralta.

"I was kind of on the fence after [Thursday] because he hit the ball right on the screws three times," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He had a great play where [shortstop Jean] Segura robbed him of a hit. He smoked the ball on that 5-4-3 double play. I was part-way reluctant to give him the day off. He wasn't asking for time off. I'd approached him earlier about getting him a day. I just felt like I'd better take the lead on it.

"These guys aren't going to come in and ask for days off. It's a rare exception if they do. I just made that decision. I think he's swinging the bat better now than he was a couple of days ago."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.